Food briefs for Oct. 11-17

El Bizcocho closes Sunday:
After 44 years, the fine dining restaurant at the Rancho Bernardo Inn will close its doors for a long-anticipated, $2.5 million renovation on Oct. 14. The restaurant space will be gutted and revamped into a modern upscale eatery with a new name, style of service and menu prepared by executive chef Nicolas Bour. Until then, diners can get one last taste of "El Biz" during dinner service Thursday-Saturday or for Sunday brunch, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit ranchobernardoinn.com .

"Top Chef" finalist cooks at Festa
: Chef Antonia Lofaso, a finalist on Bravo's "Top Chef All-Stars," will be preparing dishes form her new "The Busy Mom's Cookbook" in a cooking demonstration at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Little Italy Festa, at Date and India streets in San Diego's Little Italy. Lofaso will prepare coffee-based recipes created with Medaglia d'Oro coffee. Spectators will receive a free recipe booklet. The 18th annual festival, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 14, features Italian cuisine, music, dance, arts and activities. More than 120,000 people attend each year. Visit littleitalysd.com or call 619-233-3898.

Fish Market renovation complete
: The Fish Market restaurant in Solana Beach has finished the largest renovation in its 31-year history. The eight-week revamp included the installation of 25 new dining booths and a private dining room, a new ceiling, etched glass accents, nautical design elements. The restaurant across the street from the Del Mar Fairgrounds seats 270 and employs 100.

7-Eleven remodels complete:
7-Eleven Inc. has finished the renovation of 38 convenience stores in North County. The four-month project included adding coffee bars and self-service Turbochef ovens in each outlet as well as new interior decor and lighting.

Malarkey writes cookbook
: San Diego celebrity chef Brian Malarkey will issue his first cookbook in November, "Come Early, Stay Late." The illustrated cookbook will feature the most popular dishes and pastries at each of his fabric-named restaurants (Burlap, Searsucker, Gingham, Gabardine, Herringbone) and cocktail pairings. Malarkey describes his recipes as playful twists on traditional classics and easy to prepare (all you need is a pair of tongs). The cookbook will be published in late November and will be available at all major bookstores.

Great News publishes cookbook:
Great News! Cookware and Cooking School in Pacific Beach has published its first cookbook, "GREAT FOOD!" It features a compilation of the school's best menus and recipes from the past 20 years. A cookbook signing and recipe tasting will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at Warwick's bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Call 619-562-6622.

Stone unveils chocolate mint beer
: On Monday, Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. released a Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout beer, created in collaboration with San Diego home brewer Ken Schmidt and Vista's Iron Fist Brewing Co. Schmidt's recipe was the winner at Stone's fourth annual March Madness Homebrew Competition this year. The beer is made with mint leaves from Stone Farms and chocolate by Orange County's ChocoVivo.

Italia cooking school hosts event
: The Italia in Bocca cooking school in Vista will host an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at 535 Avalon Drive. Appetizers and menu tastings will be offered and new classes are available for registration. The school offers classes three to four days a week in Italian dishes such as risotto, sauces, cheese-making, pasta and homemade liqueurs. Visit italia-in-bocca.com .